Five years after they were set up, 23 of 26 dispensaries and maternity homes belonging to the BMC remain unused.
The BMC had set up the 26 medical centres in 2000-01, with the intention of turning them over to charitable trusts and medical organisations.
In 2002, the BMC put out newspaper advertisements inviting organisations to man its centres.
However, even now, all but three (Sabu Siddique Maternity Home at Imamwada; Zaobawadi Maternity Home at Girgaon; and Victoria Road Maternity Home) remain unused.
According to the BMCs health committee, however, seven of them (see Medi claim) have been handed over to charitable trusts, though they havent begun functioning.
The allotment proposals of another seven remain bound in municipal bureaucracy, while the remaining six are struggling to find takers.
Shailesh Yashodhar Phanse, chairman of the health committee, said, The seven trusts that have been handed over must start functioning soon. If they continue to stall, the BMC will be forced to take legal action against them.
Dr V Telang, an executive health officer with the BMC, said, We are in touch with the seven trusts that have been allotted premises. Weve been told they are appointing doctors and recruiting staff. As for the other proposal, they too will be cleared soon.
Medi claim
Status of the seven dispensaries BMC says it has handed over
Rokadia Lane, Borivli: The BMC claims the dispensary has been handed over to a trust called the Kutch Yuvak Sangh. However, when we visited it, we found that the BMC itself has not taken over the property from the builder, Mahesh Desai.
Desai runs a nursery there. I have been writing to the BMC to take over the property but they have not responded yet. In order to preserve my property, I run a nursery here. Desai was not aware that the dispensary had been allotted to the Kutch Yuvak Sangh.
IC Colony, Borivli: Handed over to the Borivli Malayali Sangh in 2003. They are yet to take possession.
Ashok Van, Dahisar: Handed over to the Rotary Club of Borivli in March 2004. Hasnt started functioning.
Rustomji Colony, Dahisar: Allotted to MEETI Investments and Consultants in May. Not yet functional.
Harishankar Joshi Marg, Borivli: Allotted to Dr Dhawle Trust in March 2005. Not yet functional.
Lallubhai Park, Andheri: Allotted to Dr Surya Para Medical and Research Centre in October 2004. Hasnt begun functioning, citing problems like lack of water connection.
Kasturba Road, Matunga: Handed over to Yuvak Prathisthan in May. Not yet functional.